Does it matter whether you incorporate or trademark first? Incorporate or trademark first? The answer matters a great deal. Filing a trademark application properly requires a correct identification of the owner. Naming the wrong applicant can be fatal since the USPTO will not allow you to change the applicant’s name after filing your trademark application. […]
Category: Startup IP
Patent owned by your company or you as an individual?
Should you own your patent as an individual or under your company? Startups frequently ask whether their patent should be owned by the company or the individual inventors. At the outset, a few disclaimers are in order. I’m not a tax attorney. Nothing herein should be construed as tax or financial advice. The IRS has […]
Quote your own patent cost: How much do you want to pay to file a patent?
What if we adjust our initial filing patent cost to match your budget? Nearly every patent firm sets their own attorney’s fees and service rates. Some bill hourly. Our firm bills flat rates. Though most clients appear to prefer flat rates, even fixed fee patent cost estimates may exceed the budget of many startups and […]
Why patents matter to your startup
Why should startups care about patents? Spend enough time on the internet and you will find arguments both for and against startups filing patents. One side argues that patents take too much money and time, and that startups would be better off focusing on execution. The other side argues that patent filings provide startups with […]
IP for product designers: What should designers and consultants know about intellectual property?
Should product designers care about IP? Product designers and consultants are in the business of not only creating new products, but also in helping their clients get their new products to market. What if your newly design product, which might even be patentable, turns out to infringe someone else’s intellectual property? What can product designers […]
Does our law firm take credit card retainer payments?
Yes, our law firm takes credit card payments for initial retainers While the legal industry has been slow to adapt, Innovation Capital Law Group tries to stay in tune with the needs of our clients by adopting flat rate legal fees and flexible payment options. We understand that paying a legal retainer in the amount […]
What should a Startup IP Checklist include?
What is the point of a startup IP checklist? Checklists are wonderful. A helpful startup IP checklist keeps founders focused on the more important tasks and serve as reminders of any incomplete items. Intellectual property may seem daunting for startups. My goal with the following IP checklist is to keep it simple by focusing on […]
How to trademark a new company name: Should founders search trademarks before incorporating?
How to trademark a new company name: First incorporate or search trademarks? This question might catch you off guard if your plans for incorporation didn’t consider a trademark search. One common pitfall of incorporating is selecting a company name without first conducting a trademark search. Typically, founders consult with a corporate attorney to see if […]
Startup patent guide: Where to start
What is a smart patent strategy for startups? For startups, knowing where to start with patents is the hard part. Once you have an IP strategy in place, implementing and tweaking that plan is not as difficult. This is a practical nuts-and-bolts startup patent guide for founders considering IP protection. Why should startups care about […]
How Startups Should File Trademark Applications
When your startup company name is also the trademark for your product It’s best to search the USPTO trademark database for your startup company name before incorporating. A trademark search will provide not only peace of mind, but also a helpful assurance that you ought to be able to sell product under the desired trademark […]